An additive manufacturing device includes a beam generation unit, a raw material container and a raw material supply unit. A window element can transmit an energy beam emittable by the beam generation unit to the raw material container for manufacturing a solid article from multiple raw material layers. The raw material includes a powder. The raw material container contains a raw material arranged in multiple raw material layers arranged upon each other, where an uppermost raw material layer including a raw material surface is exposed to the energy beam. The window element includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces the beam generation unit and the second surface faces the raw material surface. The second surface is at least partially covered by a protection element. The protection element is transparent for the energy beam such that in operation, the energy beam passes through the protection element.